Xi Jinping's rocket reminder to Taiwan

While Chinese President Xi Jinping works toward another term as the country's top leader in 2027, he faces an increasingly difficult challenge: the party's big goal of unifying Taiwan.   The Chinese satellite-carrying rocket that flew over Taiwan earlier this week was launched in a possible response to a U.S. media report suggesting it has become less likely Xi will contemplate military action against Taiwan due to serious corruption within his military.   Indeed, the ongoing purges within the People's Liberation Army, including the removal of Defense Minister Li Shangfu in October, are seen as efforts to rid the military of corruption.   But considering the Chinese Communist Party's -- and Xi's -- goal to unify Taiwan, the purges are likely being conducted from a longer and more structural point of view. That is, to ensure that the military's chain of command, with Xi at the very top, works flawlessly.   As one Chinese pundit put it, the current storm of military purges can be interpreted as an attempt to wipe out "resistance forces" within the military.   Read Katsuji Nakazawa's analysis here.	All Newsletters  |  View in browser
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	January 11, 2024

	Analysis: Xi Jinping's ambition to unify Taiwan motivates military purges While Chinese President Xi Jinping works toward another term as the country's top leader in 2027, he faces an increasingly difficult challenge: the party's big goal of unifying Taiwan.   The Chinese satellite-carrying rocket that flew over Taiwan earlier this week was launched in a possible response to a U.S. media report suggesting it has become less likely Xi will contemplate military action against Taiwan due to serious corruption within his military.   Indeed, the ongoing purges within the People's Liberation Army, including the removal of Defense Minister Li Shangfu in October, are seen as efforts to rid the military of corruption.   But considering the Chinese Communist Party's -- and Xi's -- goal to unify Taiwan, the purges are likely being conducted from a longer and more structural point of view. That is, to ensure that the military's chain of command, with Xi at the very top, works flawlessly.   As one Chinese pundit put it, the current storm of military purges can be interpreted as an attempt to wipe out "resistance forces" within the military.   Read Katsuji Nakazawa's analysis here.
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